Why do you decant wine?
Decantazione: deh-kan-tat-SYOH-neh. The zione ending = 'tion' in English.
Ask when you see a sommelier decanting wine, or when a winemaker suggests opening a bottle well in advance. A common and interesting question at any serious tasting.
Perché si fa means 'why is it done' — impersonal. Decantazione is the noun from decantare. It serves two purposes: separating sediment from old wines, and aerating young wines to open their aromas.
Per quanto tempo va in caraffa?
How long should it be in the decanter?
Caraffa — decanter. Time varies: 30 min to several hours.
Ha del deposito in fondo?
Does it have sediment at the bottom?
Deposito — sediment. Natural in unfiltered aged wines.
La doppia decantazione serve davvero?
Does double decanting really help?
Double decanting = pour into decanter, wash bottle, pour back.
Italian winemakers often prefer to pour young Barolo into a wide-mouthed decanter and leave it for 2-4 hours before serving. This 'breathing' allows the powerful tannins to soften and the aromas to develop — what Italians call 'il vino si apre' (the wine opens up).